GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Middle schoolers can sometimes be the forgotten age group as church activities are planned. Adult leaders and high schoolers at Calvary Chapel Gridley set out to change that.  First Baptist Church of Gridley joined them to plan a two-day, community-wide, interfaith camp that brought together 48 area middle schoolers for new friendships and engaging activities

A treasure hunt took students bicycling to eight stops around Gridley, including the fire department, Veterans Hall, Orchard Hospital, and the Gridley-Block Funeral Chapel. At each stop, they learned important Christian principles or clues which would help them find the missing Cobra man, kidnapped Friday evening by evil doers. 

At Veterans Hall, local veterans talked about their military service, and how sometimes other soldiers put themselves in harm’s way to protect their battle brothers. These sacrifices were compared to Christ’s sacrifice. At the funeral chapel, youth learned about death and resurrection. Grace Emerson, 7th grader, shared that, “The fun, fun thing was biking around town.”

Both days were filled with games, encouraging the students to develop friendships before the school year begins.  Nine-square, frisbee golf, water fights, rock painting, knock-out basketball, and much more kept the fun going.  Saturday, students gathered for a picture at the park, while, unbeknownst to them, the fire department prepared to spray them from behind with a fire hose.  Once the pictures were taken, the firefighters surprised the youth with a nice cool-down from the afternoon heat.  

Luke Widener gave a special presentation on building a relationship with God that demonstrates how our perspective of God changes as we understand His love for us.  Youth pastor Bill Gallagher said, “Luke taught that, as we come to know God, we realize he knows we’re sinners and loves us in spite of ourselves.”  Emerson said Widener taught, “Our perspectives change about God the more you learn.”  A worship team led music, followed by a drama, a highlight reel of the event starring the kids, and an inspirational message completed the evening.

Many adults came together from the local Calvary Chapel and First Baptist churches, providing meals, organizing games, and bicycling with the students as they gathered clues around town.

Our Town Pizzeria and Ice Burgie also helped with food and prizes.

Pastor Brad Roberts, Calvary Chapel, noted that only 15 of the youth attend the two churches who sponsored the camp.  He called the interfaith experience “powerful and engaging.”